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Cricket Sth Africa head quits over scandal

Johannesburg

Acting Cricket South Africa (CSA) president AK Khan quit on Wednesday in the aftermath of a $US600,000 bonus scandal that has left chief executive Gerald Majola fighting for survival.

Khan resigned at a CSA management committee meeting in Johannesburg along with audit and risk committee chairman John Blair three days before a board meeting which could decide the fate of Majola, who protested his innocence this week.

"I think it is time for change and for new leadership ... I am going back to grass roots cricket," said Khan, who consistently backed the chief executive through the two-year crisis.

A government-initiated inquiry headed by retired judge Chris Nicholson last week recommended prosecutors open a case against Majola over a scandal linked to the hosting of the 2009 Indian Premier League (IPL).

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Majola and former chief financial officer Don McIntosh were the alleged main benefactors of secret bonuses paid to them and other CSA officials after South Africa staged the IPL and the ICC Champions Trophy the same year.

The IPL tournament clashed with elections in India three years ago, raising security concerns and forcing the 20-over tournament to be moved to various South African venues.

Among the casualties of the subsequent fall-out was then CSA president Mtutizeli Nyoka, who raised the bonuses alarm and was fired, reinstated after a legal battle, and fired again amid bitter clashes with Majola.